The strengths use scale: psychometric properties, longitudinal invariance and criterion validity

  • Strengths use is an essential personal resource to consider when designing higher-educational programs and interventions. Strengths use is associated with positive outcomes for both the student (e.g., study engagement) and the university (e.g., academic throughput/performance). The Strengths Use Scale (SUS) has become a popular psychometric instrument to measure strengths use in educational settings, yet its use has been subjected to limited psychometric scrutiny outside of the U.S. Further, its longitudinal stability has not yet been established. Given the wide use of this instrument, the goals of this study were to investigate (a) longitudinal factorial validity and the internal consistency of the scale, (b) its equivalence over time, and (c) criterion validity through its relationship with study engagement over time. Data were gathered at two-time points, 3 months apart, from a sample of students in the Netherlands (n = 360). Longitudinal confirmatory factor analyses showed support for a two-factor model for overall strengths use, comprised of Affinity for Strengths and Strengths Use Behaviors. The SUS demonstrated high levels of internal consistency at both the lower- and upper bound limits at both time points. Further, strict longitudinal measurement invariance was established, which confirmed the instrument's temporal stability. Finally, criterion validity was established through relating strengths use to study engagement at different time stamps. These findings support the use of the SUS in practice to measure strengths use and to track the effectiveness of strengths use interventions within the higher education sector.
Metadaten
Author:Llewellyn Ellardus van ZylORCiDGND, Diane Arijs, Matthew L. Cole, Aldona Gliíska-Newes, Lara C. Roll, Sebastiaan RothmannORCiDGND, Rebecca ShanklandORCiD, Jacqueline M. Stavros, Nicolas B. Verger
URN:urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:3-620238
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.676153
ISSN:1664-1078
Parent Title (English):Frontiers in psychology
Publisher:Frontiers Research Foundation
Place of publication:Lausanne
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Date of Publication (online):2021/06/15
Date of first Publication:2021/06/15
Publishing Institution:Universitätsbibliothek Johann Christian Senckenberg
Release Date:2021/12/21
Tag:Strengths Use Scale; longitudinal invariance; positive psychological assessment; psychological strengths; psychometric properties; strengths assessment
Volume:12
Issue:art. 676153
Page Number:17
First Page:1
Last Page:17
HeBIS-PPN:490812996
Institutes:Psychologie und Sportwissenschaften
Dewey Decimal Classification:1 Philosophie und Psychologie / 15 Psychologie / 150 Psychologie
Sammlungen:Universitätspublikationen
Licence (German):License LogoCreative Commons - Namensnennung 4.0